Sleeve of a gland assembly

ABSTRACT

A sleeve ( 1 ) which can house at least a portion ( 2 ) of cable or a pipe ( 4 ) comprises an internally hollow body ( 6 ) having at least one flexible portion ( 22 ) which can be clamped around the said portion of the cable or pipe, and a sealing element ( 26 ) provided in the region of the flexible portion of the sleeve body, deformable together therewith and produced by co-moulding. The sleeve ( 1 ) can be associated with a clamping ring nut ( 100 ) which can deform the assembly formed by the flexible portion ( 22 ) of the sleeve body and the scaling element ( 26 ) onto the portion of the cable or of the pipe which is housed in the sleeve body ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a sleeve or coupling for connectingtubular elements such as pipes or cables to one another or to operationand control boxes or panels provided in systems for various uses, suchas electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic systems and the like.

In the above-mentioned systems, there is usually a need to lead a cableor pipe into a box, for example, containing controls or switches, inorder to connect the cable or the pipe to any controls, valves,apparatus or the like contained in the box.

The cable or pipe may be led into the box simply by inserting thetubular element through a hole suitably formed in the wall of the box.

Usually, however, a sleeve is inserted in the opening in the box wall soto house the tubular element, allowing the element to extend into thebox.

The sleeve can be tightened onto the tubular element in various ways inorder to prevent an external force on the element, for example, apulling force or an accidental tug, loosening the tubular element orpulling it out of the apparatus contained in the box, to which theelement is connected.

In the conventional technique for mounting these sleeves, it is known toassociate one or more sealing elements with the sleeve.

Known sealing elements (resilient rings such as O-rings) are associatedwith the sleeve during the installation of the system.

Examples of embodiment are described in documents U.S. Pat. No.5,378,027 and EP-A1-551664.

It is also known to form a sealing ring in a manner such that it isfixed firmly to the sleeve by techniques for co-moulding it onto thesleeve.

An example of the formation of a sleeve as described above is given inU.S. Pat. No. 4,410,479.

However, the embodiments of sleeves according to the methods known fromprior art have the disadvantage of being provided with a sealingcomponent which can easily be separated from the body of the sleeve ornot be installed with the sleeve due to forgetfulness or carelessness.

There has therefore been a need to produce a sleeve which is alwayscertain to be installed with the sealing component included.

The problem underlying the present invention is that of devising asleeve which has structural and functional characteristics such as tosatisfy the above-mentioned needs and at the same time to overcome thedisadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art.

This problem is solved by a sleeve according to claim 1 and claim 25.Further forms of embodiment are described in the dependent claimsrelating respectively to these.

Further characteristics and the advantages of the sealing systemaccording to the present invention will become clear from the followingdescription of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way ofnon-limiting example, in which the sleeve can be fixed and sealed ontoan electrical connection cable and in which the cable extends throughthe sleeve in order to extend into a box containing electrical apparatussuch as controls, operating devices, switches and the like.

The description is given below with reference to the appended drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sleeve, of a fixing ring nut, and of atubular element partially engaged on the sleeve,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sleeve and of the fixing ring nut ofFIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 a to 3 c show a transverse section, a front view, and a planview of the sleeve of FIG. 1, respectively, and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sleeve of FIG. 1, through which a cableextends, and which is mounted in a wall and is associated with theclamping ring nut of FIG. 1 and with an inner ring nut;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of a further embodiment variant ofthe sleeve according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 d show respectively a view in transverse section, a viewin front elevation, a plan view and a view in rear elevation of thesleeve in FIG. 5.

With reference to the appended drawings, a sleeve for housing a portion2 of a tubular element 4 is generally indicated 1.

The sleeve 1 comprises an internally hollow body 6 for housing theportion 2 of the tubular element 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the hollow body 6 extends along a centralaxis X-X, and preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 comprisesat least three tubular portions arranged in succession along the centralaxis X-X.

A first tubular portion 8 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 has asubstantially smooth internal surface 10 whereas, externally, it has athread 12 which extends from one end of the first tubular portion 8 tothe other, terminating in the region of a circumferential projection 14.

The circumferential projection 14, which has a larger diameter than thefirst tubular portion 8 and than the second tubular portion 16 of thehollow body 6, preferably has a hexagonal shape suitable for cooperatingwith conventional screwing means such as workshop spanners, pliers, orthe like.

A second portion 16 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 has asubstantially smooth internal surface 18 and, externally, has a thread20 which extends from the circumferential projection 14 to a flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1.

The diameter of the internal surface 10 of the first portion 8 of thehollow body 6 is preferably greater than the diameter of the internalsurface 18 of the second portion 16 of the hollow body. The internalsurfaces are adjacent one another and thus form a circumferentialabutment 23.

The flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 can beclamped around the portion 2 of the tubular element 4 which is housed inthe hollow body 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6comprises a portion provided with gripping fingers 24. The grippingfingers preferably extend, separately from one another, in the directionof the central axis X-X, in a “petal-like” configuration.

The sleeve 1 also comprises, in the region of the flexible portion 22 ofthe hollow body 6, a sealing element 26 which can be deformed, togetherwith the flexible portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element 26 comprises a cap 28projecting from the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 and closedby a base 30.

The cap 28 preferably has gauge notches 29 arranged circumferentially onthe outer surface of the cap 28. The gauge notches are preferably formedas grooves which are generally continuous and circumferential and aredisposed on the outer surface of the cap 28. In a further embodiment,the notches are formed by visible and discontinuous marks, such asdashes, on the outer-surface of the cap 28.

The sealing element 26 also comprises an incorporating portion 32 inwhich the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 is embedded.

The incorporating portion 32 of the sealing element 26 preferably formsa single continuous body. In other words, the incorporating portionincorporates the gripping fingers 24 without being subdivided by thegripping fingers.

In other words, the sealing element 26 and the flexible portion 22 ofthe hollow body 6 form a single composite body in which the flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body is configured as the supporting core andthe incorporating portion 32 of the sealing element 26 is configured asthe incorporating matrix.

A part of the incorporating portion 32 preferably forms a cylindrical,homogeneous and continuous seal 34 entirely enclosed by the grippingfingers 24 of the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6, forming asheath sealing the sleeve 1 against the portion 2 of the tubular element4 which is housed in the hollow body 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6is configured as a cap section having a smaller end facing towards thecap 28 of the sealing element and a larger end facing the hollow body 6.

The flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 and the sealing element 26in which the gripping portion is at least partially embedded form meansfor fixing and at the same time sealing the portion 2 of the tubularelement 4 housed in the hollow body 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element 26 extends in thedirection of the central axis X-X, inside the hollow body 6, adhering tothe internal surface 18 of the second tubular portion 16 of the hollowbody 6, preferably as far as the circumferential abutment 23 between thefirst tubular portion 8 of the hollow body 6 and the second tubularportion 16 of the hollow body.

The sealing element 26 is preferably fixed firmly to the flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing element is formed by a techniqueof co-moulding of the hollow body 6 and of the sealing element 26 bymethods known in the art and not described in detail.

The sealing element 26 is preferably made of a material softer than thematerial forming the flexible portion 22 of the hollow body. Preferably,the sealing element is made of thermoplastic rubber and the flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body 6 of rigid, preferably self-extinguishingthermoplastic material.

In a further embodiment, the sleeve 1 comprises a resilient sealing ring36 of the type known as an O-ring, preferably in the region of theperipheral edge of the circumferential projection 14, so as to face thethread 12 of the first tubular portion 8 of the hollow body 6.

The sealing ring 36 is preferably formed by co-moulding with the hollowbody 6 by methods known in the art and not described below.

The sleeve 1 can be associated with a clamping ring nut 100 suitablyshaped externally so as to cooperate with workshop tools such asspanners, pliers and the like, which can grip the ring nut and screw itonto the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 in the region of the flexibleportion 22 and of the sealing element 26 of the sleeve 1.

The clamping ring nut 100 is a preferred and non-limiting example ofclamping means.

In a further embodiment, the clamping means may be formed by at leastone band which can be tightened onto the assembly of the sealing element26 and of the flexible portion 22 of the sleeve 1, for example, by meansof a nut-and-bolt connection.

Moreover, the clamping means may be formed by a band, preferably ofmetal, which can be subjected to plastic deformation onto the assemblyformed by the sealing element 26 and the flexible portion 22 of thesleeve 1, for example, by means of a crimping tool.

The hollow clamping ring nut 100 has an opening 102 at one of its ends.

The diameter of the opening 102 in the ring nut 100 is substantiallylarger than the diameter of the end 30 of the sealing element 26 of thesleeve 1 and substantially smaller than the maximum diameter of the cap28 of the sealing element 26.

In the region of the opening 102 in the ring nut 100, the ring nut 100has, internally, a first, concave portion 104 which extends from theopening 102 to a second, threaded portion 106 of . . . the internalsurface of the ring nut 100.

During the installation of electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic systemsand the like, both industrial and domestic, the sleeve 1 can be used, inparticular, for enabling a tubular element such as a cable, a pipe, orthe like to extend through the outer casings of various devices, forexample, through the walls of a box.

Generally, a hole 202 is formed in the wall 200 of a box, for example,an electrical box containing switches and various other devices, and thefirst tubular portion 8 of the sleeve 1 can be inserted therein,preferably by being screwed into the hole.

A portion of the cap 28 of the sealing element 26 is removed from thesleeve 1 by means of suitable a cutting tool, for example, conventionalscissors, wire strippers, electricians' nippers or the like so as toform, in the cap, an opening 204 provided with a rim 206.

A cable 208 or a pipe can pass through the opening 204 in the cap 28 ofthe sleeve 1 so that the cable 208 can be threaded through the sleeve 1.Moreover, the opening 204 in the cap 28 is such that, when the sleeve iscoupled with the cable 208, its rim 206 remains in contact with thesurface of the cable 208.

The notches 29 formed in the cap 28 of the sleeve 1 define portions ofthe cap 28 which can be removed, in dependence on the nominal diameterdimension of the cable 209 to be inserted in the sleeve. By way ofexample, a first notch may define the point on the cap 28 at which toperform the removal in order to insert a cable of ½ inch nominaldiameter and a further notch may define the point on the cap 28 at whichto perform the removal in order to insert a cable of ¾ inch nominaldiameter.

The cable 208 extends through the opening 102 in the ring nut 100,through the opening 204 in the cap 26 of the sleeve, through the sleeve1, and through an inner ring nut 300, to reach the interior of the box.

The inner ring nut 300 can be coupled with the sleeve 1 in the region ofthe first tubular portion 8 of the hollow body 6 which, in the assembledcondition, is disposed on the inner side of the wall 200.

The ring nut 300 can be screwed onto the first tubular portion 8 of thesleeve 1 and, by interacting with the wall 200 during the screwing,pulls the sleeve towards the inner side of the wall. The action of thering nut 300 results in compression of the sealing ring 36 against theouter surface of the wall 200, producing a seal between the outersurface of the wall 200 and the sleeve 1.

The fixing ring nut 100 can be coupled with the second tubular portion16 of the sleeve 1 which, in the assembled condition, is disposed on theouter side of the wall 200 of the box.

The threaded portion 106 of the fixing ring nut 100 is screwed onto thethread 20 of the second tubular portion 16 of the sleeve 1.

The concave portion 104 of the fixing ring nut 100 interferes with thesealing element 26 and the flexible portion 22 of the sleeve 1, clampingthe sealing element 26 and the flexible portion 22 onto the cable 208.

In other words, as the ring nut moves along the thread 20 of the secondtubular portion 16 of the sleeve 1, the concave portion 104 of thefixing ring nut 100 compresses the sealing element 26 and the flexibleportion 22 of the sleeve 1, clamping them onto the cable 208.

The sealing element 26 and the flexible portion 22, which form means forfixing and at the same time sealing the sleeve 1, can therefore beactivated by the fixing ring nut 100, which forms clamping means.

In particular, the fixing ring nut 100 interferes with the flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve 1 which, as describedabove, is incorporated in the sealing element 26.

In particular, the sealing element 26, compressed by the flexibleportion 22 of the hollow body, is clamped onto the cable 208, formingcombined fixing and sealing means which are particularly resistant towear and abrasion due to the action of the ring nut.

In a further embodiment variant, the sleeve 1 comprises an internallyhollow body 6 adapted to receive the portion 2 of the tubular element 4,in which the first tubular portion 8 of the hollow body 6 of the sleeve1 has an inside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the secondtubular portion 16, thus producing a circumferential rebate 23 (FIGS. 5,6, 7 a-7 d).

The flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 comprises the grippingfingers 24 which run in succession around the circumference separatelyfrom each other, alternating with spaces 400 substantially free ofsealing material.

In other words, between the gripping fingers 24, for the greater part oftheir extension in a radial direction, i.e. for the greater part oftheir radial thickness, said flexible portion 22 does not have sealingmaterial.

The sealing element 26 comprises the cap 28, projecting relative to theflexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6, closed by a base 30, and acylindrical wall 402 which extends from the cap to the circumferentialrebate 23, remaining contained within the gripping fingers 24.

In other words, said cylindrical wall 402 has an outside diametersubstantially equal to the inside diameter of the gripping fingers 24and of the second tubular portion 16.

The sealing element 26 is produced by co-moulding with the hollow body6.

The flexible portion 22 of the hollow body 6 is partially let into thesealing element 26, since, by virtue of the co-moulding process, thesealing material runs along the inner surface of the gripping fingers24, so that they are partially let into it.

This is particularly clear if the sealing element 26 is moved aside fromsaid gripping fingers 24 (FIG. 6): indentations 406 left by said fingerson the sealing component demonstrate that they are partially let intothe sealing element.

The resilient sealing ring 36 is produced by co-moulding with thesealing element 26, by virtue of channels 404 provided in the hollowbody 6.

In other words, the cap 28, the circumferential wall 402 and the sealingring 36 form a single body which cannot be separated from the hollowbody of the coupling unless the pieces are torn apart.

Said channels 404 form passages for the material which forms the sealingelement 26 between the inner surface of said hollow body and its outersurface. Said channels are preferably provided at the circumferentialrebate 23.

Said channels form passages which extend radially, tangentially orcircumferentially relative to the hollow body.

The main advantage of the sleeve consists in the formation of a fixingand of a seal on a tubular element which are particularlywear-resistant, above all, when the fixing and the sealing of the sleeveonto the tubular element are achieved by means of a ring nut whichclamps the sealing element onto the tubular element.

Moreover, the sleeve advantageously has fixing and sealing means whichdisplay optimal resilient recovery so that the sleeve can be reusedseveral times without showing a shape memory in the sealing elementwhich is subjected to deformation.

Moreover, the sleeve has the advantage of having a sealing element whichis positioned precisely at a flexible end of the sleeve body ensuringthat a force exerted on the flexible body by means of the fixing meanssuch as a ring nut, a band, or the like, induces optimal deformation ofthe sealing element onto the tubular portion, ensuring optimal fitting,even if it is performed by unskilled personnel.

Advantageously, the sleeve provides a sealing element which cannoteasily be lost or separated from the sleeve body.

In other words, the formation of the sealing element integrally with thesleeve body results in inseparability of the sealing element and thesleeve body. This ensures that the fitting of the sleeve is alwaysperformed in accordance with the installation standards, even if it isperformed by an unskilled or careless operator.

Finally, producing the sealing element in one piece with the sealingring means, advantageously, that said sealing element cannot beseparated from said body of the sleeve.

Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, aperson skilled in the art may apply to the sleeve described andillustrated with reference to the drawings, many modifications andvariations all of which, however, are included within the scope ofprotection of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1-50. (canceled)
 51. A sleeve suitable for housing at least a portion ofa tubular element, and which comprises: an internally hollow body forhousing the said portion of the tubular element, the body having atleast one flexible portion which can be clamped around the said portionof the tubular element, and a sealing element provided in the region ofthe flexible portion of the body of the sleeve and deformable togethertherewith, and a resilient sealing ring, the sleeve being associablewith clamping means suitable for deforming the assembly formed by theflexible portion of the body of the sleeve and the sealing element ontothe said portion housed in the body of the sleeve, the sleeve beingcharacterized in that said sealing element and said sealing ring areproduced using techniques of co-moulding said sealing element and saidsealing ring with the hollow body and in that said sealing ring isconnected to said sealing element by sealing material contained inchannels in the hollow body.
 52. The sleeve according to claim 51 inwhich the sealing element has an end cap closed by a base which can beremoved at least partially to permit the introduction of the portion ofthe tubular element housed in the sleeve.
 53. The sleeve according toclaim 51, in which the flexible portion of the hollow body is at leastpartially embedded in the sealing element, a portion of the sealingelement forming a homogeneous and continuos seal, entirely inside theflexible portion.
 54. The sleeve according to claim 51, in which theflexible portion of the hollow body comprises a plurality of grippingfingers which project from the hollow body in the direction of a centralaxis of the hollow body.
 55. The sleeve according to claim 51, in whichthe flexible portion is shaped substantially as a cap section having itssmaller base projecting from the hollow body of the sleeve farther thanits larger base.
 56. The sleeve according to claim 51 in which theresilient sealing ring is disposed in the region of a peripheral edge ofan outer circumferential projection of the hollow body of the sleeve.57. The sleeve according to claim 51 in which the sealing element ismade of a material which can deform in order to form a seal against theportion of the tubular element, and the flexible portion of the hollowbody of the sleeve is made of a flexible material which can squeeze aportion of the sealing element in order to deform it onto the portion ofthe tubular element.
 58. The sleeve according to claim 57 in which thesealing element is made of thermoplastic rubber.
 59. The sleeveaccording to claim 57 in which the flexible portion of the hollow bodyis made of thermoplastic material.
 60. The sleeve according to claim 59in which the flexible portion of the hollow body is made ofself-extinguishing thermoplastic material.
 61. The sleeve according toclaim 54, in which the flexible portion of the hollow body hasindentations of the gripping fingers.
 62. The sleeve according to claim51, in which the flexible portion of the hollow body has grippingfingers which run successively in a circumferential direction,separately from each other.
 63. The sleeve according to claim 62, inwhich said gripping fingers run successively in a circumferentialdirection, alternating with spaces substantially free of sealingmaterial.
 64. The sleeve according to claim 51, in which said sealingelement comprises a cap and a cylindrical wall which extends from thecap to a circumferential rebate inside the hollow body.
 65. The sleeveaccording to claim 64, in which said cylindrical wall has an outsidediameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the grippingfingers.
 66. The sleeve according to claim 51, in which said resilientsealing ring is produced by co-moulding with the sealing element. 67.Mounting kit comprising a sleeve suitable for housing at least a portionof a tubular element, and which comprises: an internally hollow body forhousing the said portion of the tubular element, the body having atleast one flexible portion which can be clamped around the said portionof the tubular element, and a sealing element provided in the region ofthe flexible portion of the body of the sleeve and deformable togethertherewith, and a resilient sealing ring, the sleeve being associablewith clamping means suitable for deforming the assembly formed by theflexible portion of the body of the sleeve and the sealing element ontothe said portion housed in the body of the sleeve, the sleeve beingcharacterized in that said sealing element and said sealing ring areproduced using techniques of co-moulding said sealing element and saidsealing ring with the hollow body and in that said sealing ring isconnected to said sealing element by sealing material contained inchannels in the hollow body, and at least one clamping element forcooperating with the hollow body of the sleeve, clamping the assemblyformed by the flexible portion and of the sealing element onto theportion of the tubular element housed in the sleeve.
 68. The mountingkit according to claim 67 in which the clamping element is a clampingband which can be tightened around the assembly formed by the flexibleportion and the sealing element of the sleeve.
 69. The mounting kitaccording to claim 67 in which the clamping element is a clamping bandwhich can undergo plastic deformation around the assembly formed by theflexible portion and the sealing element of the sleeve.
 70. The mountingkit according to claim 67 in which the clamping element is a clampingring nut.
 71. The mounting kit according to claim 70 in which the ringnut has a hollow internal portion which can interfere with the assemblyformed by the sealing element and the flexible portion of the sleevewhen the ring-nut is in the mounted configuration on the sleeve,clamping the assembly onto the tubular portion housed in the sleeve. 72.A sleeve suitable for housing at least a portion of a tubular element,and which comprises: an internally hollow body for housing the saidportion of the tubular element, the body having at least one flexibleportion which can be clamped around the said portion of the tubularelement, and a sealing element provided in the region of the flexibleportion of the body of the sleeve and deformable together therewith, thesleeve being associable with clamping means suitable for deforming theassembly formed by the flexible portion of the body of the sleeve andthe sealing element onto the said portion housed in the body of thesleeve, the sleeve being characterized in that the flexible portion ofthe body of the sleeve is at least partially embedded in the sealingelement, forming means for fixing and at the same time sealing thehoused portion of the tubular element, the fixing and sealing meansbeing capable of being activated by the clamping means.
 73. The sleeveaccording to claim 72 in which the sealing element is fixed firmly tothe flexible portion of the hollow body.
 74. The sleeve according toclaim 72 in which the sealing element is formed by techniques forco-moulding of the sealing element with the hollow body.
 75. The sleeveaccording to claim 72 in which the sealing element has an end cap closedby a base which can be removed at least partially to permit theintroduction of the portion of the tubular element housed in the sleeve.76. The sleeve according to claim 75 in which the cap has a plurality ofgauge notches for calibrating the removable portion of the cap to permitthe insertion of portions of tubular elements of different nominaldiameters.
 77. The sleeve according to claim 72 in which the flexibleportion of the hollow body is incorporated at least partially in thesealing element, a portion of the sealing element forming a homogeneousand continuous seal, entirely inside the flexible portion.
 78. Thesleeve according to claim 72 in which the flexible portion of the hollowbody comprises a plurality of gripping fingers which project from thehollow body in the direction of a central axis of the hollow body. 79.The sleeve according to claim 78 in which the sealing element comprisesan incorporating portion in which the gripping fingers of the hollowbody are at least partially incorporated.
 80. The sleeve according toclaim 72 in which the flexible portion is shaped substantially as a capsection having its smaller base projecting from the hollow body of thesleeve farther than its larger base.
 81. The sleeve according to claim72, further comprising a resilient sealing ring.
 82. The sleeveaccording to claim 81 in which the resilient sealing ring is disposed inthe region of a peripheral edge of an outer circumferential projectionof the hollow body of the sleeve.
 83. The sleeve according to claim 81in which the resilient sealing ring is formed by co-moulding of the ringwith the hollow body of the sleeve.
 84. The sleeve according to claim72, in which the sealing element is made of a material which can deformin order to form a seal against the portion of the tubular element, andthe flexible portion of the hollow body of the sleeve is made of aflexible material which can squeeze a portion of the sealing element inorder to deform it onto the portion of the tubular element.
 85. Thesleeve according to claim 84 in which the sealing element is made ofthermoplastic rubber.
 86. The sleeve according to claim 84 in which theflexible portion of the hollow body is made of thermoplastic material.87. The sleeve according to claim 86 in which the flexible portion ofthe hollow body is made of self-extinguishing thermoplastic material.88. The sleeve according to claim 72, in which the flexible portion ofthe hollow body has indentations of the gripping fingers.
 89. The sleeveaccording to claim 72, in which the flexible portion of the hollow bodyhas gripping fingers which run circumferentially in succession,separately from each other.
 90. The sleeve according to claim 89, inwhich said gripping fingers 24 run circumferentially in succession,alternating with spaces substantially free of sealing material.
 91. Thesleeve according to claim 72, in which said sealing element comprises acap and a cylindrical wall which extends from the cap to acircumferential rebate inside the hollow body.
 92. The sleeve accordingto claim 91, in which said cylindrical wall has an outside diametersubstantially equal to the inside diameter of the gripping fingers. 93.The sleeve according to claim 81, in which said resilient sealing ringis produced by co-moulding with the sealing element.
 94. The sleeveaccording to claim 93, in which said elastic ring is connected to saidsealing element by sealing material contained in channels in the hollowbody.
 95. Mounting kit comprising a sleeve suitable for housing at leasta portion of a tubular element, and which comprises: an internallyhollow body for housing the said portion of the tubular element, thebody having at least one flexible portion which can be clamped aroundthe said portion of the tubular element, and a sealing element providedin the region of the flexible portion of the body of the sleeve anddeformable together therewith, the sleeve being associable with clampingmeans suitable for deforming the assembly formed by the flexible portionof the body of the sleeve and the sealing element onto the said portionhoused in the body of the sleeve, the sleeve being characterized in thatthe flexible portion of the body of the sleeve is at least partiallyembedded in the sealing element, forming means for fixing and at thesame time sealing the housed portion of the tubular element, the fixingand sealing means being capable of being activated by the clampingmeans, and at least one clamping element for cooperating with the hollowbody of the sleeve, clamping the assembly formed by the flexible portionand of the sealing element onto the portion of the tubular elementhoused in the sleeve.
 96. The mounting kit according to claim 95 inwhich the clamping element is a clamping band which can be tightenedaround the assembly formed by the flexible portion and the sealingelement of the sleeve.
 97. The mounting kit according to claim 95 inwhich the clamping element is a clamping band which can undergo plasticdeformation around the assembly formed by the flexible portion and thesealing element of the sleeve.
 98. The mounting kit according to claim95 in which the clamping element is a clamping ring nut.
 99. Themounting kit according to claim 98 in which the ring nut has a hollowinternal portion which can interfere with the assembly formed by thesealing element and the flexible portion of the sleeve when the ring-nutis in the mounted configuration on the sleeve, clamping the assemblyonto the tubular portion housed in the sleeve.